RANGERS have reportedly added a Serbian international to their January transfer shortlist.
Philippe Clement is on the hunt for a new defender this month with several of Rangers‘ first team players on the sidelines for tonight’s clash against Dundee.
Sasa Zdjelar playing for Partizan against Feyenoord in 2022[/caption]
He waved goodbye to the Serbian side in 2022 after a spell as captain[/caption]
And CSKA Moscow star Sasa Zdjelar, who is primarily a defensive midfielder but can play as a centre-back, is believed to be one of the targets the manager is looking at.
Zdjelar, 29, could be available on a free transfer after Fifa granted foreign players the right to end their contracts with Russian clubs due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Daily Mail claim he is on the Light Blues’ radar and reports from Russia suggest the Ibrox club have enquired about his availability this month.
Zdjelar, who has been capped nine times for Serbia, currently earns £15,000 a week after tax so he is in Gers’ price range.
However, it is also suggested they could face a battle for his signature as German clubs are also interested.
The 29-year-old has an impressive CV having started his career in his homeland with OFK Beograd before joining Greek giants Olympiacos in 2015 and then returning to Serbia with Partizan in 2018.
He also spent time on loan at Mallorca from Olympiacos before heading to Partizan on a short stint in January 2018 ahead of making the move permanent in the summer.
Zdjelar lifted the Greek title while in Piraeus and won the Serbian Cup twice with Partizan – scoring the winner in the 2018 final to round off his loan spell.
During his time at Partizan – where he was captain – Zdjelar played alongside former Rangers flop Umar Sadiq and even scored a screamer for the Serbian giants during their 4-0 win over rivals Vojvodina – thanks to an assist from the Nigeria international.
The versatile player is a household name in his homeland despite only making nine senior appearances for the country as he played in the Under-20s squad that won the 2015 World Cup.
His form in Serbia earned him his move to CSKA and he picked up further silverware as he helped his side win the Russian Cup in the 2022/23 season.
Zdjelar hasn’t played in any continental competitions since that move after Russian clubs were banned from competing in Europe.
But he made 45 appearances in Europe before then – featuring in the Champions League with Olympiacos and Europa League and Conference League at Partizan.
He would bring great experience to Clement’s squad should he join but it is believed the manager would prefer to bring in younger players this month.
Zdjelar’s contract runs out at CSKA this summer but the club do have the option to extend his deal by a further year if the player does not wish to cut ties early due to Fifa’s contract ruling.
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